MILWAUKEE — When people who feel strongly about a topic get together, dialogue and experiences may be shared. When people who feel passionate about different issues get together, sparks may fly. How can the sparks be prevented and common ground and understanding reached?
That was the topic of “Bringing Pro-Life and Pro-Justice Communities Together in an Election Year,” part of the Social Action Summer Institute at Marquette University the week of July 15.
Joan Rosenhauer, special projects coordinator for the Department of Social Development and World Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, opened her presentation by stating, “There is no good way to talk about this.”
Her audience included men and women from around the country who lead social action groups in their dioceses, and parish members from across the United States. Attendees wondered how they could assure healthy, productive dialogue between pro-life or anti-abortion supporters and those who are pro-justice, or choose to fight for issues such as immigration.
“When we talk about being pro-justice, what is more pro justice than defending unborn children?” she asked the group. “And what is more pro-life than defending the lives of all?”
Rosenhauer outlined several ways that social action and parish leaders can bring these communities together for dialogue and understanding.
She said parties involved in a dialogue should not assume.
“This applies to both groups,” she said. “In the world of justice and peace, we can start with a defensive posture. Sometimes we create that by assumption.”
While she works with more of the pro-justice side of the issue for the USCCB, Rosenhauer said she is thankful for the people who work for the pro-life issue for the USCCB.
“We don’t have to do everything,” she explained. “I thank God that my pro-life colleagues are there. Let’s assume that we care about them and they care about us and the work we do.”
She said that during confrontations or questions, the best thing Catholics can do is rely on Scripture.
“We will run into situations where people will ask questions and we have to draw on the teachings,” she explained. “When I quote the Holy Father or the bishops, I’m in better shape than when I interpret it myself.”
She also advised parish employees and social action leaders that creating pro-life or pro-justice programs is not a one-or-the-other situation.
“If we do more on abortion, we don’t have to do less on justice,” she told the group. “The more we all do the better off we all are. It’s not a trade off. We’re consistent defenders to human life from conception to natural death.”
She also advised the group to be prepared when speaking to pro-life and pro-justice groups.
“It’s important when you’re going into a setting to have skills for smoothing over disagreements,” she said. “If someone asks a tough question, how do you get back on topic?”
Rosenhauer suggested that they cite the importance of the question and offer to speak with the person following the lecture.
Following her presentation, Rosenhauer told your Catholic Herald that there are indeed perceived divisions between these two groups.
“Sometimes the divisions are because of misunderstandings,” she said. “I think we’re all at our best when we’re reflecting the message and teaching of the Gospel.
“If we can come together more effectively, we’ll be more effective,” she added.
